This and that

I came home to an unexpected parcel

my sister had a saw this and thought of you moment

Nice way to start the weekend

 Seedlings in the raised garden

so tiny and so much pleasure.

 Last time I showed you our Magnolia tree in full bloom, today I am showing you the hard work it gives me, this is just one days drop, even on a calm day, it give loads of petal, each day I pick these up from the lawn.

 Purdy loves to follow me around, she loves to check out the garden.

 Stitching

 The tape just goes along two sides,

 so this bit is almost finished. 

 I popped into our local library yesterday, to find a different author, it sounds as if it might be a good read. I have also ordered Girl on the Train, I have read a couple of good reviews, so it's on it's way to me, got it 2nd hand off Amazon.

Yesterday's lunch was great fun, as a group of people we get on so very well, John loved the card I made him. We spend all the afternoon catching up, chatting, swapping photo's of grandchildren. I had a hair appointment before, so it was a indulgent day.
I have done nothing else, water the garden and greenhouse's, watch Master-chef, hubby is a real fan of the programmes, and stitch.
We have very few plans for the weekend, the hope is for the weather to stay dry and warm, we can then have a trip out on the bike, which will be the 1st time this year for me.
Hubby's mate is using his Rotavator this weekend so the lawn is put off for a few days, it's nice to be on top of every thing else and have time to enjoy the nice weather.
I have been wearing my sandals this week, what a joy to pack the boots away, I do love my boots in the winter, but as soon as the warmer weather arrives I love my sandals. The sunshine makes every thing so much more fun and enjoyable.

Sunshine

Nothing better for showing a sunny day

 than the view through the blossom on our Magnolia tree.

 I am still getting on with this

 It's not going to take much longer

Tomorrow I am out to lunch, a friend from my Sea Cadet days is retiring, and I have been invited back for his leaving lunch. I am really looking forward to spending time with them all again. Normally these lunches go on for most of the afternoon.

I wanted to make him a card, my effort is below.

 Silly final photo

I collect silly cows (takes one to know one)

I love this one last night just as it was getting dark

It's great to see solar panels working again.

I came home early from photography class, they were on top of the flat roof looking at stars, I'm not good with heights and it was cold, so I did not stay. So last night I managed to do some stitching.
Work is good, I have learn't another level to my role, the ladies in our section are great, we have time for a laugh and natter.
After work today I popped into my garden, I so love being home early enough to be outside, plus just having simple jobs to do.
I have lovely rows of tiny seedling coming through on my raised bed, and in planters in the greenhouse. The herbs are looking good, and I am keeping the cats away from them. My fruits are showing loads of promise.
Hubby has ordered more top soil and turf, which will arrive end of next week, his friend is coming around this weekend with his rotavator, so we can flatten and level it.
I am pleased we have stopped using the heating in the evenings, if it does get cold we can always pop it back on for an hour, but summer saving are here. Tonight we had a frozen Chinese meal, we walked to our local shop, it was lovely and loads cheaper than a take away.
News on our coffee maker, it is working OK for the moment, gives us time to shop around.
PS; Paula, the buttons are made of wood and was sold a a Christmas Tree decoration, but I had to have them, but not for my tree.

And rest

I love this little pot, it makes me think of my dad

for years I had silk white daises in it

Dad always grew daises, they were the only flower he grew, 

'if you can't eat it, why grow it' I can still hear him now

 When I was sorting my side of the office, I found it in the back corner of the window sill, behind my monitor. So I have filled it with some of my large buttons, and it's on my shelf. Did I tell you I love buttons, 

I will purchase buttons, with out any reason, just nice to have them.  

 I did do a small amount of stitching, after the day in our daughters garden, 

I was really tired last night. 

 It's growing nicely 

 Our mini Orchids are doing well, these are really pretty.

Our daughters front garden is not so overgrown now, it has been uncared for, for the last few years. Outside her front window were 4 small tree's all gone wild, we have trimmed them and cut loads of lower growth, ensuring there is only one trunk, I also used our loppers and trimmed the top of the trees, they look much better. They had an enormous spiky plant in front of the trees, which we managed to dig out, it's not all gone, but looks good for now, it won't die, because we want to get rid of it. They had overgrown shrubs along the long boundary fence, which I have cut back to ground level. They had wanted to dig them all out, but if they come back smaller, they will look good and save them money, we also trimmed the neighbours plants.  When we left, they were planting 42 small box plants in two lines,  to form a hedge along side the garage wall.
Hubby cooked a lovely meal, liver, bacon and leeks, it was delicious, after 3 trips to the tip with huge bags filled, a hard but rewarding day. We will need to go back another day, just a few more task  and a couple of things to do in the back garden.
Today was another busy day in the office, we are not work horses, but we do get loads of bills sorted. I now sit next to a window, which was open most of the day, the sunshine was wonderful, and home by 4.30, perfection.
Later I have photography club, life is good, just counting down the last few years until retirement, government says I now have wait until I'm 66 for my pension, but I'm lucky and will only have to do a couple more years and then hubby can keep me.

New season

My herb garden, with garlic growing in the front. 

I love the chives growing around the bay tree pot

Also in this garden is Rosemary, Sage, Marjoram, 

and loads of Thyme. I have tarragon read to go out.

 Fruit

Raspberries and strawberries

Blackcurrant bush

 Veg and flowers

French beans

 Looking down the fence, 

you can see I have added sticks to keep the cats out of the herb bed.  

The big black pot is for tomato's, hubby is growing them this year.
Blueberry and yellow gooseberry in the pots.

 We uncovered the wooden furniture,

now we want the warm sunny evenings

I have not been able to paint these yet, on checking the details, they will require a coat of primer first. I think my cushions are a bit thick for the seats, but I am not going to change them, they are very comfortable to sit on. I will get primer tomorrow and start on them in the week. 

 Last huge job, hubby is going to dig up the lawn, level it, and relay turf. 

I have nothing to do with the lawn, 

it's hubbies area, he keeps it cut and looking good. 

Over the past couple of years sections have sunk, 

we have quiet a step down from the decking.
Both gates have been painted and are now ready for hanging.

 I love to see a robin in the tree

Yesterday was a productive day again, it was dull for most of the day, the sun found it's way to us about 4ish, I did enjoy being inside looking at the garden with the sunshine bringing every thing to life.

When the sun shone it was still too cool to sit outside for long. 

This morning is sunny and we plan another day in the garden, but not mine, we are going to youngest daughters house to sort her front garden, again loads of over grown shrubs, most will be cut back. We are also planting a hedge by their garage wall. My daughter has been showing me images of pristine tidy gardens, any bets for how long it will last.
Hubby not a gardener, will be inside preparing a hot meal for everyone, Liver and bacon casserole, loads of fresh veg and new potatoes.